About Global Era

Global Era was established in 2001 by Vince Clark. As software developers, system integrators, consultants and trainers we deliver enterprise class solutions to small and medium sized businesses. We provide full project implementation life cycle management of software projects. Our developers and consultants bring significant experience and expertise in customizing software to fit business needs and processes.

What sparked our commitment to Open Source solutions?

We’re proud to be a part of the thriving software development phenomenon – known as Open Source Software (OSS). How we became involved in OSS is an interesting story. We have 50 years of combined experience with commercial and proprietary database, CRM and ERP solutions. This has placed us in a unique position to watch technology trends. Over the last few years, we have seen a strong trend; a demand for alternatives to commercially licensed software.

From our vantage point we have seen the number of trials and implementations of non-licensed software in large and small corporations quietly grow world-wide, in the range of tens of thousands downloads over a few years. In our view, the popularity of Open Source signals an interest across vertical markets and industries in software development practices above and beyond those used in commercial product development.

This has created a new market for companies such as Global Era to help companies to efficiently use Open Source within their organizations. As a result we have made commitments, including financial commitments, to contribute to this software development marketplace.

There is no doubt that the “no license” characteristic of OSS is appealing to many. Our experience working in the industry every day has strengthened our view of the advantages of using Open Source solutions, beyond the monetary aspects. We encourage any company considering a purchase of ERP technology to consider these characteristics of OSS as well:

• Lower Total Cost of Ownership compared to commercial products
• Rapid implementation
• A stable architecture
• Easy integration
• Maximum flexibility

Two years ago, we discovered a very strong Open Source ERP solution; a first of its kind. Developed by ComPiere, Inc., this innovative OSS solution with the same functionalities as software solutions found in the commercial market really sparked our interest. We identified several synergies between ComPiere and ourselves. We found common ground in our visions for how OSS will impact the ERP/CRM market place as well as our backgrounds and experience in commercial software development. We both have a history with Oracle databases, which proved to be a launching pad in the initial development of an Open Source ERP solution. A great partnership evolved and the rest is history, as they say.

Take a look at our ERP+CRM page to learn more about the solution known as Compiere, then give us a call to explore its fit to your IT and Business objectives. We’ve also begun a concise list of Open Source resources that you may find useful.

Contact us to discuss any topic you see mentioned here on our website.